May 09FC.indd - Bahamas National Trust

May 2009 Issue 6 No.2
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General meeting was held at
Government House this year, in honour
of the BNTs 50th Anniversary.
Special recognition was given to past presidents and to a
large number
of volunteers
and corporate
supporters.
The keynote
speaker
was
Environment
Minister Earl Deveaux, who commented
on the uniqueness and importance of
the BNT as the manager of the country’s national park system. He wished
the BNT 50 more years of conservation
success.
BNT Council 2009
Glenn Bannister, President
Neil McKInney, Deputy President
Robin Symonette, Honorary Secretary
Peter Stokes, Honorary Treasurer
John F. Bethell, Elected member
Angela Cleare, Elected member
Lawrence Glinton, Elected member
Pericles Maillis, Elected member
D. Stewart Morrison, Elected member
Teresa Butler, Governor-General’s Representative
Nakira Wilchcombe, Governor-General’s Representative
Michael Braynen, Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resource
Earlston McPhee, Ministry of Tourism
Representative Ministry of Education
Representative Ministry of the Environment
Dan Burmbaugh PhD, American Museum of Natural History
Nancy Clum, PhD, Wildlife Conservation Society
Craig Lee, National Audubon Society
Valerie Paul, PhD, Smithsonian Institution
Pamela Reid, PhD, University of Miami, RSMAS
Karen Bjorndal, PhD, Scientific Advisor, University of Florida
Alan Bolten, PhD, Scientific Advisor, University of Florida
BNT Presidents were honoured at the AGM. Pictured from left to
right: Glenn Bannister, Pericles Maillis, Sandra Buckner, Colin
Lightbourn not pictured: Lynn Holowesko, Michael Lightbourn
and J. Andrew McKinney.
Glenn Bannister was
elected to serve his seventh
term as President of the
BNT
Prince Edward accepts a gift from Eric Carey, Executive Director
HRH Prince Edward Celebrates Trust’s 50th Anniversary
Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex
recently attended a special luncheon in
honour of the BNT’s 50th Anniversary
at Graycliff Restaurant.
Executive Director Eric Carey noted
that the BNT today stands on the shoulders of earlier conservation giants like Dr.
Carleton Ray, the late Oris Russell, Lynn
Holowesko, Sandra Buckner, Pericles Maillis
and Glenn Bannister.
“We are humbled to follow in the footsteps of these scientists and past presidents
who worked so hard to ensure that the
national parks we manage today are preserved for future generations of Bahamians.”
“The Bahamas National Trust is doing
a wonderful job, as is evidenced by the
sentiments echoed here today” the Prince
said as he spoke on behalf of his father,
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who
is the BNTs Royal Patron.
He congratulated the BNT on achieving
such an historic milestone and encouraged
the organization to continue its good work.
“We are extremely grateful to Prince
Edward for attending this special luncheon,
and to all of our guests who supported this
event and continue to support the work of
the Trust.” said Deputy Executive Director
Lynn Gape as she gave the vote of thanks.
New Bridge Opened at the
Lucayan National Park
E
leven months of work culminated in
the official opening last February of a
new bridge in the Lucayan National
Park on Grand Bahama.
The event, attended by government
officials and BNT representatives, was greatly anticipated as public access to the park
is vital for tourism on Grand Bahama.
Deputy Prime Minister Brent
Symonette and Environment Minister
Earl Deveaux officiated, along with local
members of parliament.
Also in attendance was Colonel
John Blashford-Snell and Captain John
2 May 2009 Trust Notes
Hinchliffe; who were instrumental in creating the original nature walk and footbridge at Lucayan National Park years ago.
Mr Symonette acknowledged that balancing development with conservation was
a top priority for the government.
“Our need for economic development
must be kept in proper balance with the
need to protect the environment, including the biological diversity of our islands,”
he said.
Emphasizing the government’s
commitment to environmentally sensitive issues, Mr Symonette referred to
plans to set aside
four or five new
protected areas throughout
the Bahamas,
adding
that
the new bridge
was “an excellent example of
how development and conservation can
and do co-exist
in our country
for the benefit
of all.”
The bridge replaces
an older structure that
was built in 1987 with the
help of Operation Raleigh
(www.raleigh.org.uk) volunteers.
“It was a wonderful friendship between
the people of Grand
Bahama,” said Colonel
Blashford-Snell of the
original project. “We
worked all over the
Bahamas trying to help
the BNT. And we wish
them well because they
are preserving the heritage of these islands that is
unique and so important
for coming generations.”
According
to
BNT President Glenn
Bannister, the bridge
and park are vital components of the Grand
Bahama tourism product.
“It is important to bring our visitors
out into nature. This kind of experience
will bring them back, over and over again,”
he said. “That is why we take particular
interest in this project, and that is why
it is so gratifying to have this event on
Grand Bahama.”
Karin Sanchez, chairperson for the
Grand Bahama BNT, said the bridge over
the creek was just the first phase of a larger
plan that included a visitor centre.
The original bridge was severely damaged during the hurricanes that struck
Grand Bahama in 2004. It was eventually
closed for safety reasons. The new bridge
is a wide, solidly built structure with a
large, covered observation deck.
The bridge was built by local contractor Hartley Lowe of Bahamas Engineering
and Dock Company at a cost of approximately $230,000.
The project was financed by the BNT,
corporate partners and individual donors.
A family fun day was held at the park
featuring special tours and activities as part
of the Pintail Pride Campaign.
Feast in the Forest
A NIGHT TO
REMEMBER
Pig Roast Co-Chair Macgregor Robertson chats with BNT member
Dawn Davies
Cuban Pig Roast
Better than Ever!
In March over 200 guests and patrons of the BNT gathered
at the Maillis Farm in Adelaide for an authentic Cuban Pig Roast.
The event was the brainchild of Mr. Manuel Cutillas, who
organizes and cooks the pigs each year.
Macgregor Robertson, volunteer coordinator, welcomed the
guests in Spanish and thanked everyone for attending to help celebrate the BNTs 50th Anniversary
“We are not only remembering the past, but are planning for
the next 50 years,” he said. “It is our goal to make the BNT financially sustainable so that we can continue to grow our national
park system and manage it effectively.”
Participants spent a wonderful afternoon enjoying Cuban
cuisine, music and mojitos. After lunch, there was dancing and
relaxation in the wonderful garden setting.
“We were overwhelmed with the support for the event this
year”, said Natasha Wright, BNTs Director of Development.
Special recognition was given to Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Cutillas,
Mr. and Mrs. Macgregor Robertson and the Maillis Family as
well as Alexandra & Co for their outstanding efforts in making
the event such a success.
The BNT is grateful to the many sponsors who supported
the event: Bristol Wines and Spirits, BSI Overseas, Banque Privee
Edmond de Rothschild, Royal Star Insurance, Bamont Trust, Odyssey
Aviation, Bahamas Waste, Bahamia Rental, Celebrations, Prime
Bahamas, Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant, Thierry Lamare and
Richard Hokemier.
Pig Roast Chefs
For some it was a chance to dress the part and look pretty.
Limbo artist Action brings a ‘taste of tourist’ to the night
Dr. Jon Rodgers tastes Lionfish prepared by Paul and Gregory Maillis.
Trust Notes May 2009 3
Lyford Cay School went all out for Pintail Pride T-Shirt Day
Earth Day 2009
On Earth Day (April 22)
Bahamians across the country planted trees, and seeds,
and showed their support for
wetland protection.
Wetland T-Shirts
President Glenn Bannister plants a tree at Harrold and Wilson
Ponds, New Providence
As part of the Pintail Pride
Campaign, the BNT distributed t-shirts illustrated
by Bahamian artist John
Thompson. The endangered
white-cheeked pintail duck
lives in freshwater wetlands
and is a protected species
in The Bahamas.
Wetlands are essential
Minister Earl Deveaux received a Pintail Pride T-Shirt on Earth Day. Picture from left are
Tamica Rahming, Minister Deveaux, Shelley Cant and Eric Carey.
4 May 2009 Trust Notes
habitats for many birds and
mangrove forests act as
marine nurseries for juvenile
conch, crawfish and grouper.
The T-Shirt Day was supported by banks, schools, other businesses and BNT members. The staff of Alexiou,
Knowles and Co. showed their
support for the environment and wetlands in particular - by
selling t-shirts on the street.
Bahamas Million Tree
Campaign
A range of conservation groups
(including the BNT, the BEST
Commission, BREEF, Dolphin
Encounters, and The Nature
Conservancy) participated in
a national tree planting campaign on Earth Day.
The initiative was part
of the Bahamas Million Tree
Campaign to plant a million
trees throughout the country
by December 2009.
As part of the national
effort, politicians, judges and
diplomats turned out at various locations to plant a variety
of native trees - Embassy Park,
Perpall Tract, Government
House, Fort Charlotte, Collins
Estate, Malcolm Park, the
Botanical Gardens and Arawak
Cay.
BNT members Peter and Olga Stokes
planted a tree for the Bahamas Million
Tree Campaign
The initiative was led by
Environment Minister Earl Deveaux.
The BNT encourages all members
to take part in this national effort to
mitigate climate change and beautify
our country. Native trees provide shade,
critical habitat for wildlife, and are well
adapted for local growing conditions.
So plant a tree, and help cool the
globe. For more information visit www.
bahamasmtc.com.
Seed Propagation Programme
Thirty participants in the Girl Guides
Caribbean Camp planted 500 Mahogany
seeds and 700 Horseflesh seeds as
part of the Million Tree Campaign.
The girls represented the Bahamas,
Belize, British Virgin Islands, Guyana,
Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua and
Barbuda.
BNT Discovery Club members also
planted 500 Mahogany seeds at The
Retreat Garden. Discovery Clubs from
Garvin Tynes, Nassau Christian Academy
and Queen’s College joined representatives from FirstCaribbean International
Representatives of FirstCaribbean International Bank and Discovery Club members
planted mahogany seeds
Bank in the seed planting exercise.
FirstCaribbean is supporting the
Discovery Club programme with a threeyear grant.
“Planting trees is a long-term commitment to caring for our environment”
said a bank representative. “Trees need
to be nurtured in the same way that
we care for our young people. We are
delighted to support the Discovery Club
programme, which has at its core the
development of environmental stewardship among young people.”
According to Portia Sweeting, BNT
Director of Education, “We need to plant
more native trees and seeds in order
to maintain supplies of native hardwoods to replace the invasive plants
(like Casuarina or Brazilian pepper)
that we are removing from our national
parks.”
Over 2,000 Mahogany and
Horseflesh seeds were planted as
part of the BNT’s Earth Day activities.
Juan Bacardi of Bristol Wines and Spirits does his part for Earth Day. Also
pictured left to right are Arame Strachan, Tamica Rahming and Eric Carey
Staff at Bahamas Waste wore Pintail Pride T-Shirts on Earth Day
Trust Notes May 2009 5
Following in the
Footsteps of the
Original Exuma
Expedition
I
n February, 16 scientists and crew of
the Coral Reef II (a research vessel operated by Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium)
retraced the footsteps of the 1958 expedition that led to the creation of the Exuma
Cays Land & Sea Park and the subsequent
formation of the BNT.
“Repeating the original Exuma survey was a key part of our 50th Anniversary
activities”, according to Deputy Director
Lynn Gape. “The inspiration came from
Tom Barbernitz, our ECLSP Administrator.
The idea was to document the changes that
have taken place in the park since 1958.”
Participants included Dr. Ethan Freid,
a botanist with expertise in Bahamian flora;
Dr. Craig Dahlgren, a marine biologist with
the American Museum of Natural History;
Janeen Bullard, BNT parks planner, Dr.
Kathleen Sullivan Sealey a marine biologist
with the College of The Bahamas; Lakeisha
Anderson, of the Department of Marine
Resources; Heather Mason Jones of the
University of Tampa; Sandra Buckner, a
herpetologist who is past president of the
BNT; Everton Joseph of the COB and Leno
Davis of The Nature Conservancy.
The John G. Shedd Aquarium donated
the use of their research vessel so
the scientists could live aboard
while moving to different locations in the park.
“Expedition members were
able to compare what the park
area was like in 1958 to what it is
like today,” said BNT Executive
Director Eric Carey.
Also participating in the
expedition were vidoegraphers,
Rupert Murray and Eric and
Rosemary Langshaw, Captain
John Rothschild, Captain Lou
Roth, Chef Matt Cohen and Jim
Robbinett of the Shedd Aquarium.
According to Dr Brumbaugh,
the park is doing what it was created to do: “There are more and
bigger fish than in other areas,
which is reassuring, and there are
6 May 2009 Trust Notes
good size fish just outside the park boundaries too. It is distinctly different from what
you see around New Providence, and the
reefs are healthier with more parrot fish
present.”
Herpetologist Sandra Buckner noted
three successful populations of iguana in
the park, where none had existed 50 years
ago. But all the scientists were concerned
about the ecological impact of a massive
population explosion of hutias.
Once thought to be extinct, these small
mammals that were a favourite food of the
Lucayans were put on several cays years
ago and are now eating themselves out of
existence.
“There are large areas on Shroud Cay
with no vegetation as a result,” Dr Freid
said. “This is an ecological conundrum as
the hutia is the only endemic land mammal
in the Bahamas, yet it is radically affecting
the environment. This is something that
has to be carefully managed by the BNT.”
After leaving the Exumas, the researchers surveyed the Grassy Cays area of South
Andros to provide documentation for a
proposed new national park there. They
found the region subject to intense fishing
pressure with traps, camps and boats everywhere, as well as evidence that nesting
seabirds were being shot.
“There are fewer and smaller fish and
the reefs are subject to many of the same
pressures found in more populated areas,”
Dr Brumbaugh noted. “There is a small
amount of live coral and lots of disease. It
was kind of sobering to be candid.”
But on land, the scientists reported
that the natural coppice and mangrove forests were intact except for small patches of
Casuarina that could easily be removed.
And they found evidence of iguanas everywhere, indicating that a new park would be
a good opportunity to protect these endangered reptiles.
Joining the expedition for the Andros
portion of the trip was Chuck Knapp, a herpetologist; Prescott Gay, BNT Warden; and
Sharah Moss of The Nature Conservancy.
“This was a very special 50th
Anniversary activity for the Trust’ said Eric
Carey. “ It was made possible through the
generosity of the Shedd Aquarium, private
donors and the participating scientists and
their institutions who donated their time
and expertise.”
BNT Wardens Participate in
Regional Monitoring Workshop
The Trust hosted participants from 18 West Indian islands and two Caribbean rim
countries to the Retreat Garden and New Providence National Parks February 19 – 23.
The participants were participating in the Society for the
Conservation and Study of
Caribbean Birds (SCSCB) fiveday Bird Monitoring Training
Workshop. The participants
included Executive Directors
of NGOs in charge of protected
areas, ornithologists, and conservation biologists
employed by governments and NGOs,
protected area wardens and volunteers.
All shared a common
interest in learning
monitoring methodologies and how to
use the results from
monitoring to more
effectively conserve
and manage migratory and resident bird
species.
“We were very
excited at this training opportunity for
BNT
Wardens”,
said Lynn Gape,
Deputy Executive
Director of the Trust.
Participating for the Trust were
Randolph Burrows and Apollo
Butler (New Providence), Henry
Nixon (Inagua), Prescott Gay
(Grand Bahama) and David
Knowles, (Abaco). Also participating for The Bahamas
was Leno Davis of The Nature
Conservancy
The eight facilitators for
the workshop included Floyd
Hayes (Professor, PacificCollege,
California), Frank RiveraMilán (US Fish and Wildlife
Service, Washington, DC),
Geoff Welch (Royal Society
for the Protection of Birds,
UK), Jeff Gerbracht (Cornell
Laboratory of Ornithology,
New York), John Alexander
(Executive Director, Klamath
Bird Observatory, Oregon),
Arne Lesterhuis (Wetlands
International, Buenos Aires),
Ann Haynes-Sutton (Monitoring
Coordinator, SCSCB, Jamaica)
and Lisa Sorenson (President,
SCSCB, Boston).
The workshop included
a complete introduction to
programme in the Caribbean”
will be produced. At the end of
the workshop participants and
presenters agreed that the workshop had been an overwhelming success and pledged to continue to work to promote its
objectives.
“We were very pleased with
designing, implementing, analyzing and reporting basic bird
monitoring programmes in the
region. With the assistance of
the team of facilitators and other experts in the field, SCSCB
is developing simple standard
protocols for monitoring landbirds, wetland birds, seabirds
and shorebirds and their habitats. These were presented and
tested during field sessions at
the workshop. The participants
committed to share their experiences and train others in their
islands. To facilitate this process all the materials from the
workshop will be made available
online, and a manual “Caribbean
Birdwatch - How to design and
implement a bird monitoring
the enthusiasm and skills exhibited by all the participants.” said
Dr. Sorenson, President of the
SCSCB. “ Partnering with the
BNT to host the workshop made
things easy
to organize
as their wardens, staff
and volunteers were
very helpful
in assisting
with logistics.
We were very
impressed
with
the
work that has
been done at
Harrold and
Wilson’s
Pond National Park, which is
an Important Bird Area, and
was one of the sites we selected for our morning monitoring
exercises.”
The workshop was the main
output of a project called “Longterm Bird Monitoring in the
Caribbean – Why, What, Where
and How?” which
is being funded by
the Organization
of
American
States through the
Western Hemisphere
Migratory Species
Initiative (WHMSI).
The goal of this
project is to establish a Caribbean partnership to promote
migratory bird monitoring as a means
to improve sciencebased conservation
planning and adaptive management of
birds in the region.
Other products of the
project will include
a database of bird
monitoring programmes in
the region, a capacity building
strategy, follow-up projects and
strengthening of the SCSCB’s
Monitoring Working Group.
Trust Notes May 2009 7
BNT 50th
ANNIVERSARY
PHOTO
EXHIBITION
A retrospective photo exhibition covering 50 years of BNT
History was held at the Central Bank of the Bahamas in
March. The exhibition was coordinated by Roland Rose
and Michael Toogood. The exhibition will go on display at
the Main Post Office in July to commemorate the actual
anniversary of the BNT on July 13th.
Bahamas National Trust
P O Box N-4105,
Nassau, The Bahamas
8 May 2009 Trust Notes